What is used over window and door openings in a concrete block wall?

In concrete block wall construction, a lintel is specifically designed to support the weight of the masonry above window and door openings. It is essentially a horizontal support beam that spans these openings and bears the load from the structural elements above.

Using a lintel ensures that the forces are properly distributed across the wall, preventing potential cracking or structural failure at the openings. Lintels are commonly made of reinforced concrete or steel to provide adequate strength and durability, which is essential in maintaining the integrity of the building's structure.

Headers, although used in other types of construction, specifically refer to the structural members above door and window openings in framed walls, not usually in concrete block walls. Trusses are structural frameworks that support roofs or ceilings and do not pertain to door or window openings. Framing generally refers to the overall structure of a building, which is more relevant to light-frame construction rather than the masonry context of concrete blocks.